Intel hopes to keep Stephen Hawking speaking

One of the world’s foremost theoretical astrophysicists, Stephen Hawking, has a brilliant mind but his body has been severely disabled by Lou Gehrig’s disease. His condition has made him difficult to speak, but thanks to the wonders of modern technology over the years, a speech system was developed for him. The current system requires him to make small movements in his right cheek in order to have words spoken by a voice synthesizer. With Hawking losing the use of the nerves in that cheek, there needs to be an easier way for him to communicate. Intel’s chief technology officer Justin Rattner recently informed the Associated Press that they are working on a new speech system for Hawking to prevent his speech from slowing down. This is good news, and with Intel’s background and close partnership with Hawking, I can see a bright future already in the fight against the disease.